From 1911:
Stir together one cup of sugar, one cup black molasses, one teaspoon each of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt.
Then add one cup of boiling water with one teaspoon of soda, and when cool add two level cups flour; beat until lumps disappear and lastly add two well beaten eggs. Grease tins and dust with cracker crumbs. Bake in three layers. Let cake cool in tins before putting together. Whip one cup of sweet cream with one cup of powdered sugar for filling, and put about two dozen raisins on each layer.
You will find this cake excellent if made exactly after recipe.